Egypt Beats Warriors in Crucial World Cup Match

WASHINGTON —
The Pharoahs of Egpyt on Tuesday evening beat the Zimbabwe Warriors 2-1 in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Alexandria.

Mohamed Aboutrika scored a last minute winner from the penalty spot as the Warriors fought hard to stop the marauding Pharoahs. The Egyptians took the lead in the 64th minute through Hosny Abd Rabo following a free kick.

But workhorse, Knowledge Musona, equalized for the determined Zimbabweans before they conceded a last minute penalty. Dynamos defender Augustine Mbara was penalized for a risky tackle on Aboutrika.

The win strengthened Egypt's lead on top of Group G with nine points, condemning Zimbabwe to the bottom of the log with a single point.

German coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels was taking charge of the Warriors for the first time following his appointment in January this year. Now, he has a mountain to climb as Zimbabweans expect him to deliver positive results in the last few matches.

The trip to Egypt was nearly aborted because Zimbabwe was seriously concerned about the security situation in that country.

At least 74 soccer supporters were killed and 1,000 injured last year after a football invasion in Egypt. Clashes are said to have broken out as fans flooded the field seconds after the end of the game in the northern coastal city of Port Said.

The violence has persisted with more than 40 people killed following protests over the sentencing to death of those accused of instigating last year’s violence.

There is also bad blood between Zimbabwe and Egypt as a match between the two nations was abandoned in 1993 and replayed in France after Egyptian supporters attacked Zimbabwean players and the late German coach, Reinhard Fabisch.